"Will the public conclude that his policies worked, however much they may cost and however much they may entail more government intervention in the economy? Or will they regard his agenda as intrusive and ineffective big government? What steps may Obama take to alleviate public discontent over these first-year decisions?"
Read this article from the Washington Post and provide your assessment of President Obama's first year in office.
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I think the President Obama has a job that I myself would not want. In his job no one is every happy and most of the country will hate you no matter what you do. With that said I think that overall the man has done a good job with his first year as president. He has his ideas and bills that he wants and he is not backing down from them no matter what the political fallout. I admire him greatly for this. He has made great attempts to break the walls of partisanship. Although he has not much success with his efforts his has not quit. I am proud of his first year and hope he continues throughout the rest of his term.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, he has done a great job. Based on these facts: One, it took us the(United States) 8 years to get into this financial crisis. And, two wasn't it the Republicans or their leader who lead us into this mess? Now, I might not be as politically savvy as alot of America. But you would have to be an idiot to believe that in one year we would be back to normal! And, although I am not politically savvy, I am not an idiot either. Therefore, we need to give him enough time and patience as we gave the last president that lured us into this mess, ie. war, oil and control! Time is the key for all the components to work.
ReplyDeleteAMEN darkchild...you said what I wanted to but couldn't seem to find the words!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteI think that presient Obama has done a good job so far in his presidency considering that his job is one of the hardest jobs you can have today. I also agree with what was previously stated that it is a job that will have some hatered because people automatically want to judge rather than to have patience and see how it plays out. One good quality that Obama does have is the fact when he supports a issue he does not abandon it. People just need to stop judging everything so prematurely because when a country's economy has gone this much off track it will take a lot more than a year to get it to bounce back.
ReplyDeleteAt first I supported the idea that Obama would be able to restore confidence in the government, but now I somewhat think it’s difficult to say whether Obama’s policies have worked. I think he is going in the wrong direction with the health plan and is ignoring those huge numbers against the idea. I think there should be more focus on the economy and jobs. However considering he has only been in office for a year, it’s hard to tell whether the public discontent will improve. I think that Obama does have a vision of change for our country and only time will tell.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama's first year in office has been interesting. While I try to respect everyone's opinion, my opinions on his first year are considerably different.
ReplyDeleteThe man that took office, I feel, is not the same man that campaigned for that office. He campaigned to shed sunlight on the legislation process.
So far, he has failed in every attempt. I will concede that many of the happenings are not new. I am sure that the backroom dealings have been happening since the very beginning. But the most powerful man in the free world promised that C-Span would have access to all meetings when it came to the health care legislation. So far, C-Span has only had access to Congress's debates and press conferences. There was no bipartisan effort in the negotiations. The "Cornhusker Kickback" and "Louisiana Purchase" are more proof that it's business as usual in Washington. This administration is just more open about it.The White House has made amazing efforts at discrediting those of a dissenting opinion, with Anita Dunn and now Dan Pfeiffer (Ms. Dunn's replacement) saying that Fox News is not a news outlet. There was no acknowledgment of the tea parties that happened all over this country. Those with a conservative outlook on government have been called every name under the sun. Granted, I am sure there were some nut cases on the Mall, but there are nut cases in every group.
Leadership in Congress, with the full support of the White House, are hell-bent on passing health care legislation, even though the approval ratings (for Congressional members, the President, and the health care debate) are all tanking. This, to me, is not good leadership. President Obama is not giving us the hope and change he promised. I only hope they take note of the 2010 elections, realize that they are doing way too much way too fast and slow down. They need to listen to their bosses; We The People.
While I disagree with AStinnetl's opinion I do resepct them for expressing it when it goes against the majority (at least so far). I have even far more respect for the fact that he/she is very knowledge about what they are saying and are not simply spouting other people's rhetoric!!! A very good arguemtn is made even if we disagree about the sides....that is what makes this a great country to live in!!!! Keep up the good discussion.
ReplyDeleteOn the issue of health care, I think sometimes people don't read the polls closely enough. Yes, the numbers reflect dissatisfaction with the congressional plans. However, as many people think the plans don't do enough as think they do too much. Media outlets focus on the overall numbers without really reporting that as many liberals disapprove as conservatives. The disapproval comes from different ends of the spectrum. Liberals tend to think that the reforms fall short of providing enough reform.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6084856.shtml
I agree that there is dissatisfaction on both sides of the spectrum. But that proves my point. Those in power are still ramming it through wether we like it or not. I think it would be wise to start small. Do one or two things, such as the savings they believe can be realized from Medicare. There are plenty of people that would support further exploration of health care reform if the government could prove those savings are possible.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't put a lot of stock in the polls. I read articles from several different sources, listen to several different news sources, and I still come to the same conclusion. A majority of the people do not want this health care bill as is. I know it's impossible to please everyone, but this bill pleases only a select few. And if it was so good, why are so many trying to be exempt from it (unions come to mind here)?
Obama's campaign for presidency outline many goals for the country to improve our nation. One must realize that Obama does not act alone, but congress must work together with the President in creating bills to improve an economy that was already in disarray from the previous administration. His campaign goals were many and everyone needs to realize that it will take more than one year to implement many of his campaign goals. He inherited a huge mess of a country, with the two wars to the increasing rates of unemployment. Unfortunately, there is no “quick fix” to our country’s problems. We must be in it for the long haul and stay the course, believe and support our current leader in his efforts to improve our country and make the needed changes that will benefit our nation as a whole. It is a given that not everyone will agree with everything that the President does in his daily efforts, but we can admit that he has made great strides thus far in improving the country and restoring faith back in the American people.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this is a gloat, and maybe I should remove it. If the consensus says, I will.
ReplyDeleteThe election results from MA are in. Yet another popular democratic candidate loses. And President Obama campaigned hard for this candidate, just as he did for the former governor of NJ and for C. Deeds here. Many thought it would be impossible for a republican to win the seat that has been held by a Kennedy for decades. Yes, this is a statement about Coakley, but I believe it is also a statement about the direction the country has gone in the last few months.
I'm not sure I would categorize Coakley as a popular Democratic candidate. Obama spent one day in Massachusetts. Obviously, the voters had made up their mind. I do think it is reflective though of the frustration that currently exists in the country. When a Democrat loses a statewide election in Massachusetts one needs to take note.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see the Democrat's response to this. Do they shrink from this or pursue the issues that they ran on in 2008? There is one view that says that once they actually pass some substantial legislation they will get credit from the voters. There are a number of other big ticket items ready for the Congress to consider. Democrats can either worry about the Fall elections or they can proceed to accomplish their legislative agenda.
Honestly, I don't think I can place a true judgement after one year. Do to the fact that I'm not really up on top of things are far as politics. What I can say though is that things seem to be getting worked out but to expect him to do a 360 with everything is impossible. It took longer than a year to get in this situation and I feel time should be given fairly to straighten some of it out.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Obama’s campaign of change has definitely affected how we are living today. We have seen big government in action with our banks, the auto industry, and even the possibility of our healthcare, which at the end became a partisan, nontransparent program of the Democrats. Obama became so engulfed in the healthcare program, it took a terrorist at Christmas time to bring national security to the forefront, and other matters of our country outside of healthcare.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Obama has been so focused in getting the healthcare bill passed, that he has lost touch with those who are jobless and those who have had foreclosures on their homes. It seems to me that people are beginning to speak their mind as we have seen in the Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts elections. I know there is a concern as to whether politicians are listening to their voters. While, I agree Obama has inherited many problems from the previous administration, I think he needs to be taking responsibility of his actions and stop referring back to what he had been given. Let’s move on.
I think that most liberal democrats would rank him highly for the first year. However, I'm not one of those. Lol! I think he has done a poor job of reaching out for bipartisan support. Failed on his campaign promise of having the healthcare debate televised and open for public scrutiny. I do think he is somewhat the victim of those in his own party who want to shove their agenda down everyone's throat. When elected I said I was going to give him a chance.....I have and I don't think much of his first year. Thank goodness Massachusetts voted the way they did! As for, as many people being against healthcare because it doesn't go far enough, as their is because it goes too far....... I have yet to meet anyone or overhear any conversation where anyone felt that way. So much for the polls, or maybe it's just the company I keep.
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